Working party to focus on Maryborough region

A WORKING party will look into the health of football-netball clubs within the Maryborough district.

A WORKING party will look into the health of football-netball clubs within the Maryborough district.

The working party has been set up by the AFL Goldfields and AFL Central Victoria commissions, with the aim to ensure the strength and progression of football in the Maryborough region.

There will be an emphasis on ensuring the sustainability of major league club Maryborough, which overcame pre-season player number issues to continue to compete in the Bendigo league this year.

“Maryborough FNC and the surrounding teams have developed some great footballers over the years,” BFNL chairman Paul Byrne said.

“It’s essential that we work together to put in place a structure where players in the district are able to play at their highest level possible in order to fulfil their potential.”

The working party will also aim to ensure the Magpies are surrounded by healthy district league clubs.

Maryborough Castlemaine District Football-Netball League clubs that have been invited to participate are Maryborough Rovers, Royal Park, Carisbrook, Talbot, Dunolly, Natte Bealiba, Lexton and Avoca.

“We are very positive about the development of Australian Rules Football in the Maryborough district,” AFLCV regional manager Paul Hamilton said.

“However, with the area supporting nine clubs within a 36km radius of Maryborough, there is an acknowledgement that we must all work together to ensure that the future of the game reaches its full potential.”

MCDFNL president Steve Broad welcomed the opportunity to work with the commissions to “continue to grow participation and promote game development objectives in the area.”